Did Jew Know?

Outrageous, odd, fascinating, Jewish facts & figures.

When Elvis Presley was a teen living on Alabama Street in Memphis, his family lived below Orthodox Rabbi Alfred Fruchter, the leader of Temple Beth El Emeth. The Rabbi and his rebbitzen owned something the Presley's lacked: a phonograph. According to Tim Boxer's Jewish Celebrity Anecdotes, young Elvis, while washing his fifty dollar 1942 Lincoln Zephyr coupe, would hear the rabbi's cantorial records, like Shlomo Koussevitsky and Moishe Oysher. In 1954, Elvis asked to borrow the rabbi's record player. He had recorded a song called I Love You, Mama which years later, Rabbi Fruchter said had a strangely familiar rhythmic sound. Wouldn't it be interesting if the King of Rock ‘n' Roll was influenced by liturgical music? Just as interesting is the fact that, many of his early hits, including Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock were written by the Jewish duo, Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller. Sadly, they never composed, All Fermisht Up

.

Not Just Any Jewish Comedian

Richard Pryor's daughter lights shabbos candles? Well, her father was black comedian Richard Pryror, but her mother was Jewish and she was raised primarily by her Jewish grandparents. Rain Pryor, starred in the 1980's sitcom "Head of the Class" but more recently used her eclectic upbringing as a source of material for her autobiographical show, "Fried Chicken & Latkes." Pryor has joked that while growing up she felt "proud, but guilty about it."

Famous Firsts: Ball (and Boychick) One!

The very fist pro baseball player, was none other than a Jew, Lipman Pike, who was born in 1845! "Lip" accepted $20 a week to play third base for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1866, and soon other top players followed his lead. Within three years, Cincinnati became the first all professional baseball team. Not only was Pike the first pro player, he was baseball's first home run champion! The precise number is unknown, but we do know he hit six homers in one game in July of 1866. Primarily an outfielder, Pike, a southpaw, played all positions during his nearly 20-year career, and managed numerous teams, including, the Brooklyn Atlantics, Philadelphia Athletics, Cincinnati Red Stockings and the original New York Mets. Pike died in 1893.

Yippie-ai-oy: Father of the Cowboy Film -- And Jewish.

His name? Broncho Billy. His game? A rootin' shooting cowpoke. There may never have been a Roy Rogers or a Gene Autry had it not been for the grandson of a rabbi, who became the first cowboy hero. Born Max Aronson in Little Rock Arkansas in 1880, Max, (also known professionally as Gilbert Maxwell Anderson) starred in hundreds of westerns. He appeared in the seminal film "The Great Train Robbery" (1903), then, from 1907 to 1919, he was cowpoke "Broncho Billy." Aronson, actor, writer, director, and producer of these short films, not only fashioned new camera techniques that fathered the western, but co-founded the Essanay Film Manufacturing Co., which launched the careers of Ben Turpin, Gloria Swanson, Francis X. Bushman, and Charlie Chaplin. This film pioneer who died in relative obscurity at age 88, was, however, honored with a special Academy Award in 1958.

Pontiac Saves A Crafty Meshuggenah

While working his territory in the Great Lakes area in 1763, Chapman Abram, a Jewish trader was captured during Chief Pontiac's (Chief of the Ottawas) siege of Detroit. He was condemned to death. When tied to the stake, a thirsty Abram begged for a drink. When one of his captors offered a scalding hot broth he threw it into the man's face. Awestruck, his captors saw this action is a sign of insanity, marking Abram as a special favorite of their Great Spirit. They released him immediately -- and returned his merchandise.

Have an Eggroll, Mr. Two-gun

One of the strangest alliances may be that of a London charlatan and SunYat-sen. Born to poor Polish Jewish emigres in 1887, Morris Cohen, a wastrel, connected to revolutionary China when, in a gambling den in Saskatoon, Canada he defended the Chinese owner during a robbery. Cohen went to China in 1922, where he became bodyguard for Sun Yat-sen and a "General" in the Army - all without knowing Chinese. Whether his exploits as tycoon, arms dealer, and adventurer made him a visionary, a hustler (or both), Two-Gun Cohen (who packed two pistols) was a character!

By an Emperor, He's No Emperor

Most people know we have a President, but for a brief shining twenty years, we also had an Emperor! A Jewish one, yet: Norton the First. Joshua Abraham Norton, a London-born Jew (1819) arrived in San Francisco in 1849, and did very well selling mining supplies. Alas, after failing to corner the rice market, he lost everything, disappeared, then reappeared — at the offices of the San Francisco Bulletin -- in seedy navy regalia and beaver hat, proclaiming himself "Emperor of these United States." The amused editor published this proclamation in 1859, and so began the reign of Norton. A beloved figure over the years, San Franciscans bowed and curtsied as Norton sailed through the streets to keep "order." A welcome guest at every public function, his "endorsements" gave him free entree to restaurants and the City paid for his lodging and uniforms.

For You Sports Fan

We've all heard of Sandy Koufax and Mark Spitz. But there have been Jews who favored exotic fare. The first featherweight to lift over 800 pounds and press double his body weight was a cantor and rabbi's son! Jerusalem-born (1936) Isaac "Ike" Berger, who came to America in 1955, took Olympic Gold in 1956 with a lift of 776.5 pounds, and the silver in 1960 and 1964. In 1964, he set a record of 336 pounds in the jerk at a body weight of 130 making him the strongest man in the world. His record held for nine years.

Did Jew Know?

More interesting Jewish tidbits can be found in Marnie's calendar A Little Joy, A Little Oy available here.

About the Author

Quirky, no-nonsense, funny, Marnie – writer, editor, author, lecturer, clinician, and administrator -- is a straight-shooter, who has a distinctive voice and takes on the world in her columns, features, and books. Her advice column was syndicated through Tribune Media Services, and it currently appears in Singular magazine as Singular Solutions. Marnie has written over 20 books/calendars, including the series “A Little Joy, A Little Oy." Her books include Yiddishe Mamas: The Truth About the Jewish Mother and A Little Joy, A Little Oy (pub. AndrewsMcMeel). She is also an award-winning “calendar queen” having written over 20. She has been nominated for both an Emmy and Writers Guild award.Thefullwiki.org has listed Marnie Macauley on their list of top Jewish_American writers, dead or living. (She’s still deciding which.) She was also chosen as a Distinguished Woman in Las Vegas in March of 2014.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 13

(13)
BEV.,
October 27, 2009 4:05 AM

"We Jews "

this is a great idea!!!
you asked we join your facebook & when i wanted to you never responded????
LOVE ALL YOUR WRITINGS
BR

(12)
abba hawk,
January 23, 2008 1:49 PM

elvis

Genealogists say his maternal line goes direct to a Jewish girl in Charleston. also that his mothers ORIGINAL grave stone had a Mogan David on it,. & that Elvis wore one & a "Hai". Also as a kid he was a Shabbos Goy for the neighbors.

(11)
Anonymous,
January 21, 2008 8:02 PM

I buy "A Little Joy, A little Oy" calendars every year. I love giving them as gifts, and they are well received. I hope Ms. Macauley keeps up the good work, we think they're terrific.

(10)
Chaya,
January 19, 2008 10:28 AM

Elvis was Jewish?

It's been all around the net that Elvis' maternal grandmother was Jewish! So, if that's true, that would make him a Jew as well!

(9)
Michelina Hollister,
January 18, 2008 10:12 AM

Jewish history rocks

Stories like this shows me that my Jewish history is rich in diversity and totally rocks.

(8)
Nettie Price,
January 17, 2008 5:56 PM

Marnie's writing is delightful to read. She injects love of Judaism and wit in all of her writings. It it easy to read and enjoyable.

(7)
ron,
January 16, 2008 3:19 PM

corner the market

i dont think it would come to any surprise to find out that jews (in general) corner the market in most every field. being reguarded as a gentile, my search in history shows a wealth of advancements brought about from the jewish nation. G-d promised to bless the world through the jew, and He certainly has kept His word.

(6)
Dr. Myrna Hant,
January 14, 2008 9:09 PM

She's Done It Again

Many thanks, Marnie, for making "being Jewish" so unendingly fun and interesting. You never cease to discover new ideas about us!

(5)
Dr. George Ritter,
January 14, 2008 11:45 AM

Marnie is always entertaining with her stories of the Jewish people. We use her calander daily. She has done an enormous amount of research, and her work shows it.

(4)
Janel Bladow,
January 13, 2008 10:36 PM

That Marnie!!!

Marnie never ceases to amaze me with the tidbits she digs up on Jewish history. She is a brilliant star, a source of oodles of information and a great wit to boot. Not being Jewish, I still find her facts fascinating.Thanks and keep them coming!

(3)
Ed,
January 13, 2008 5:19 PM

Great Fun

Fun, entertaining, and really educational. Thanks, Marnie

(2)
Rabbi Benjamin Lefkowitz,
January 13, 2008 5:05 PM

excellent work

I thoroughly enjoyed this column. It is literate, well researched, and shared with us some fabulous tidbits of Jewish history, most of which were totally new to me. Marnie is a treasure; don't let her get away.

(1)
Howard Cohen,
January 13, 2008 2:03 PM

DID JEW KNOW IS A GREAT READ

My family and I were fascinated with the information! Coincidentally, I recently debated a lawyer in my firm about Elvis's Jewish background! Your piece proved me correct :)

I hope this is a regular part of your site, and look forward to reading it once a week.

I always loved the story of Jonah and the whale. Why do we read it during the afternoon service of Yom Kippur?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Let's recap the story: God tells Jonah to go to Ninveh and to prophesy that in 40 days, God will destroy the city. Instead, Jonah goes to Jaffa, boards a ship, and sails for Tarshish. A great storm arises. Frightened, Jonah goes to sleep in the ship's hold. The sailors somehow recognize that Jonah is responsible for the storm. They throw him overboard, and the sea becomes calm.

A great fish swallows Jonah. Then three days later, God commands the fish to spit Jonah back out upon dry land. God tells Jonah, "Let's try it again. Go to Ninveh and tell them in 40 days I will destroy the city."

The story is a metaphor for our struggle for clarity. Jonah is the soul. The soul is assigned to sanctify the world, and draw it close to God. But we are seduced by the world's beauty. (Jaffa in Hebrew means "beauty.") The ship is the body, the sea is the world, and the storm is life's pains and troubles. God hopes confrontation with mortality will inspire us to examine our lives. But Jonah's is the more common response - we go to sleep (have a beer, turn on the television). The sailors throw Jonah overboard - this is death. The fish that swallows Jonah is the grave. Jonah is spat back upon the land - reincarnation. And the Almighty tells us to try again. "Go sanctify the world and bring it close to God."

Each of us is born with an opportunity and a challenge. We each have unique gifts to offer the world and unique challenges to perfect ourselves. If we leave the task unfinished the first time, we get a second chance. Jonah teaches us that repentance can reverse a harsh decree. If the residents of Ninveh had the ability to correct their mistakes and do teshuva, how much more so do we have the ability to correct our former mistakes and do teshuva.

(source: "The Bible for the Clueless But Curious," by Rabbi Nachum Braverman)

In 1948, Egypt launched a large-scale offensive against the Negev region of Israel. This was part of the War of Independence, an attack by five Arab armies designed to "drive the Jews into the sea." Though the Jews were under-armed, untrained, and few in number, through ingenuity and perseverance they staved off the attacks and secured the borders. Yet the price was high -- Israel lost 6,373 of its people, a full one percent of the Jewish population of Israel at the time.

And what does teshuvah consist of? [Repentance to the degree] that the One Who knows all that is hidden will testify that he will never again repeat this sin(Maimonides, Laws of Teshuvah 2:2).

"How can this be?" ask the commentaries. "Inasmuch as man always has free choice to do good or evil, to sin or not to sin, how can God testify that a person will never repeat a particular sin? Is this not a repudiation of one's free will?"

The answer to this came to me at a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, at which the speaker, a man who had been sober for twenty-one years, said, "The man I was drank. The man I was will drink again. But now I am a different man."

A sin does not occur in a vacuum. A person who is devout does not abruptly decide to eat treifah. A sin occurs when a person is in such a state that a particular act is not anathema to him.

Consequently, repentance is not complete if one merely regrets having done wrong. One must ask, "How did this sin ever come about? In what kind of a state was I that permitted me to commit this sin?"

True repentance thus consists of changing one's character to the point where, as the person is now, one can no longer even consider doing the forbidden act. Of course, the person's character may deteriorate - and if it does, he may sin again.

God does not testify that the person will never repeat the sin, but rather that his degree of repentance and correction of his character defects are such that, as long as he maintains his new status, he will not commit that sin.

Today I shall...

try to understand how I came to do those things that I regret having done, and bring myself to a state where such acts will be alien to me.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...